Smart Ways To Save Money On a Home remodel

Not all home remodels have to be expensive just like not all have to be dramatic. The key is knowing how and where to invest and where to save. And there’s no surprise that there are plenty of ways to save money on a remodel, in case you decide to do it.

First of all, try not to expand any of the rooms unless it’s really necessary. Although the trend now is to have huge kitchens and bathrooms, it doesn’t always pay off. So instead of knocking down a wall, try to make the room more functional in other ways.

It’s less expensive to outfit a kitchen with custom cabinetry than it is to expand one. So save money this way and you’ll be able to have perfectly-designed furniture that suits the space like a glove.

And speaking of custom furniture, everyone knows this can be expensive. So if it’s not much of a compromise, furnish your kitchen with standard cabinets and shelves. There are plenty of ways in which you can mix and match the pieces to get the result you want.

When it comes to windows and doors, it’s best if they have standard dimensions. This way it doesn’t cost a fortune to replace or repair them. So you may want to rethink your idea of enlarging the living room window to get better views.

When remodeling, you can do some of the demolition yourself. But know your limits. When it comes to interior walls, unless you’ve done this before or you actually know what you’re doing, leave the job to a professional or you’ll end up touching the wiring or knocking down load-bearing walls.

And since we’re talking about professionals and contractors, you should also plan your remodel carefully. Don’t pick the week just before Christmas or the middle of the summer when everyone is busy. Perhaps you can start the renovation in January when contractors are looking for clients.

If your renovation also includes new appliances or furniture, you should start browsing early. Don’t think you can just walk into a store and find everything you need and dreamed of. You have to visit multiple stores, do some research on the internet, ask around and only then you’ll get the best deal.

Recycle. What we mean by that is that you can opt for used fixtures and building materials to keep the renovation cost low but also that you can donate the old stuff and get some money in return for things you were planning to get rid of anyway.

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Unless it’s absolutely necessary, don’t move the sink or the toilet. It’s this detail that costs a fortune and sometimes it’s not even worth the effort and money. So instead of moving the kitchen sink a few inches to the right, you might want to keep it in the corner and work with what you have.

Always think long term. You may notice you can save some money right then on the spot if you purchase a lower-quality type of flooring, but keep in mind that it will get scratched and ruined a lot easier and you’ll have to replace it in a few years.

Invest in the things you use daily like the toilet, the faucets or the light fixtures. This way you can be sure they’ll last longer plus, if they’re high-quality fixtures, they’ll most likely also look better and be more user-friendly.

Don’t overspend on appliances. It rarely pays off to get the most expensive refrigerator or washing machine on the market when there are tons of less expensive ones that can offer you everything you need.

Try to stay away from too many recessed light fixtures. Of and every one of them costs a lot to install and insulate so, unless you absolutely must have recessed lights, opt instead for a ceiling fixture like a pendant.

Don’t underestimate the power of paint. Sometimes all you really want is a fresh new ambiance and look for a room without actually getting new furniture. In that case, changing the paint color on the walls can have the desired effect.

Remember that sometimes it’s better to demolish everything and start from scratch instead of trying to fix tons of little things. But do some research ad ask for professional advice before making a decision.

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About the author

Stefan is the owner of Homedit.com – he started the site back in November 2008, from his passion for interior design and decorations and since then the site went from being a simple blog to one of the most popular home design websites on the web right now.